Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Designing isn't always easy.....

It's been ages since I posted anything that I thought was "worthy" of anyone's attention. Lately I seem to find myself running away from anything creative and I'm not at all sure why. EXCEPT that my sewing space is still under construction as everything seems to take priority over the drudgery of manual labor! I am ever so hopeful that I will be back in my space soon! That being said, I do have a project that I must get done!

Once again, the gremlins are hard at work and what I thought to be a pretty easy design has become the most frustrating of tasks. First, knowing that I was spending a few weeks in Tennessee to help my daughter get through the last few weeks of classes and her finals, I packed my supplies....any I didn't have, I could buy in Tennessee....right? Well, I packed a pleater than I'd never used before....my.Mother-in-Law's Pullen pleater. Have you ever NEEDED A PLEATED INSERT RIGHT NOW-only to have the unfortunate luck to either have dull needles or something the gremlins are having a laugh fest about! After breaking 6 needles trying to pleat an insert, the GREMLINS WON......almost. I did manage to pleat enough of a panel to work on a design if I can only get my mind off tracking down and doing away with those gremlins!!!!

The new design is getting done....at a much slower pace. My graph paper actually came in handy for this design. I normally just put needle and thread to fabric to begin a design idea. Right now, I'm pretty sure what the design will center around and am trying to get some cute inspiration for borders because I always have trouble with that ever so important design element that frames the design. I am, however, one that thinks if the central design is so busy and "important", I will not take the emphasis away by creating a complicated border. Back to work for me...... please wish me luck!!

I'm so excited that you are posting! I've been a fan of your designs since the beginning! I just saw your scarecrows in Sew Beautiful, and was reading your little bio and saw that they listed your website. I follow you on Pinterest too. You have excellent taste. :) Looking forward to reading more from you!

I'm new to smocking (self taught) and in search of Disney inspired smocking plates. I found your blog while google searching, but I can't figure out if you have your design for sale or how to purchase. If you don't mind contacting me at allthingsbeautiful4@yahoo.com

I have a Pullen pleater also and HATED it...It is not fabric friendly, even with Imperial and you cannot imagine how many needles I have broken. I even broke the turn knob and my husband replace it with a metal water faucet knob from Lowes so I would not break it again...Finally threw it away and got an Amanda Jane that I just love! I do not know when you posted this blog but just saw it and had to reply....

I am a smocker also but sat down with my embroidery machine and developed a simulated smocking stitch that works beautifully in Machine smocking. I was featured in Sew Beautiful in an article called Cyber Smocking...So many people who are not able to hand smock because of painful hands, use my designs and love them.

Thank you for reading my little thread and hope we run into each other via, Pinterest, agin one day.....happy to follow you.

Gwen Milner

Some of my Smocking Designs

Available through Retail Shops

Copyright 2009/2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2015/2016 Smocking with Gwen: The content on these pages, including text and images, are the sole property of the author, and may not be reproduced in any manner without consent. All Rights Reserved. Specifically, there are no commercial manufacturing rights on any designs.

About Me

I'm a Southern girl, 64 years young, who loves my family and home. I am a wife, mother, sister and friend. Born in the Deep South and grew up while traveling with my Air Force husband, Dave. After 29 years, Dave retired from the Air Force and we have settled back in Georgia where we met. I have designed needlework but I really am a wannabe artist. I enjoy music, art, gardening, a “To Do” list that’s never ending and most of all playing with my grandchildren. I often say to Emma and Austin, “How did I get so lucky?” They always answer with the most precious smiles. I have a great respect for our heritage and try in my own little way to keep that Southern thread weaving through our lives.